Troost Ekong Fancies Playing Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

• William Troost Ekong is dreaming of playing with Cristiano Ronaldo
• The Super Eagles vice-captain has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia
• Ekong was voted as the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

William Troost-Ekong has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world and fancies playing alongside the five-time Ballon d’Or winner should the opportunity present itself.

The 30-year-old Super Eagles vice-captain has attracted the interest of top Saudi Pro League teams following his exploits at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was voted the Player of the Tournament.

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Ekong was asked about his thoughts of playing with Ronaldo and in the Saudi League, and the former Watford defender was open to the idea.

AFCON 2023 best player of tournament contenders: Nwabali, Troost Ekong lead

Football

“Who wouldn’t? One of the best players in the world. We’ll have to see what happens, but I’m happy at PAOK.

“The Saudi League is something which is exciting, you saw quite a lot of the best players who were part of the AFCON have headed in that direction and are playing there.”

Ekong has had a journeyman career, having played for clubs in England, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. He would like to add a club in oil-rich Saudi Arabia to his resume before retiring.

Ekong thankful to Iwobi and Balogun

Meanwhile, Ekong has disclosed that Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun convinced him not to retire from international football after being excluded from the Super Eagles squad for over a year, Daily Post reports.

The 30-year-old defender was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s roster for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by Jose Peseiro after being sidelined by the manager for all of 2023.

AFCON 2023: Segun Odegbami notes why Super Eagles lost the final to Ivory Coast

Football

Ekong would go ahead to be voted as the Player of the Tournament at the competition in Ivory Coast, scoring three goals in the process as the Super Eagles won the silver medal, losing 2-1 to the hosts in the final.

Ekong wants Peseiro to continue

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ekong has indicated that he would be glad to see Jose Peseiro continue as Super Eagles coach following the Nigerian national team's heroics at the 2023 AFCON.

The 63-year-old coach is now out of contract with the Nigeria Football Federation after leading the Super Eagles to silver medals at the recently ended AFCON in Ivory Coast.